Call: The
regional dimension of bio-based industries

A challenge-based
approach will bring together resources and knowledge across different fields, technologies and disciplines, including social
sciences and the humanities. This will cover activities from research to market with a new focus on innovation-related activities,
such as piloting, demonstration, test-beds, and support for public procurement and market uptake.Funding focuses on the following challenges:

Health, demographic change and wellbeing;

Food
security, sustainable agriculture and forestry, marine and maritime and inland water research, and the Bioeconomy;

Secure,
clean and efficient energy;

Smart, green and integrated transport;

Climate action, environment, resource efficiency
and raw materials;

Europe in a changing world - inclusive, innovative and reflective societies;

Secure societies
- protecting freedom and security of Europe and its citizens.

Description of programme"Food
Security, Sustainable Agriculture and Forestry, Marine, Maritime and Inland Water Research and the Bioeconomy"

This
Programme aims to promote the transition towards an optimal and renewable use of biological resources and towards sustainable
primary production and processing systems. These systems will need to produce more food, fibre and other bio-based products
with minimised inputs, environmental impact and greenhouse gas emissions, and with enhanced ecosystem services, zero waste
and adequate societal value.

Call

The regional dimension of bio-based industries

Description
of call"The regional dimension of bio-based industries"

Regions may play a key role in the establishment of
bio-based industries by providing a favourable business environment and the necessary political framework. Few regions in
Europe are in the process of building successful "bio-based industries" demonstrator case studies. Those that do
exist are largely in the regions with established industries (chemical, energy, pulp and paper, etc.).

Strategies and
implementing modalities should be shared in particular with regions that have as yet unexploited biomass or waste resources
so as to widen participation of countries, fully exploit the potentials of the bio-based economy in Europe and contribute
to rural and coastal renaissance. Bio-based industries and products offer new opportunities for regional and local actors
using alternative resources and maximising possibilities for agricultural, forest and urban waste to be valorised. Development
of synergies with the regional innovation strategies for the bio-based economy will boost the competitiveness of the region
and its stakeholders on a national, European and international level. Local actors may equally attract investments from other
partners for establishing a favourable bio-based "ecosystem".

At
least one legal entity established in an EU Member State or Horizon 2020 associated country.

Recurring Call

No

Financial details

The Commission
considers that proposals requesting a contribution from the EU of up to EUR 1 million would allow this specific challenge
to be addressed appropriately. Nonetheless, this does not preclude the submission and selection of proposals requesting other
amounts.